Scup Quota Distribution Plan

Updated: January 29, 2019

The summer scup quota allocation provided by the United States Department of Commerce, NOAA Fisheries to the State of New York is anticipated to be 1,477,920 pounds. DEC's quota distribution plan for scup follows. The purpose of this distribution is to fully utilize the available scup quota for the maximum benefit to New York's fishery and to minimize the likelihood of a closure.

Summer Scup Quota Distribution

Period

Dates

Quota
(lbs)

Daily Trip Limit
(lbs)

%
Distribution

1

May - June

960,648

800

4000 weekly 5/1-6/15

60%

2

July - August

369,480

600

30%

3

September

147,792

600

10%

Provisions governing this distribution are as follows:

A weekly limit pilot program will be established May 1 through June 15 with a maximum of 2 landings per week. Parameters are TBD.

Trip limits are intended to spread the quota allocation over each period and to avoid fishery closures if possible. Consequently, initial period trip limits may be set at modest levels.

Any period's unused allocation will roll over to the next period. Currently, the Fishery Management Plan does not allow for one year's unused quota to be rolled over to the next year.

As per regulations, holders of a summer flounder fixed gear permit (pound net/trap net) will be exempt from any scup fishery closures. In the event of a closure, a daily trip limit will be established for the fixed gear fishery.

If a period's quota is projected to be exceeded, that period will be closed until the next period in order to preserve quota for subsequent periods.

DEC may adjust this quota distribution plan if the level of harvest is different from what was projected to ensure maximum utilization of the scup resource and prevent the state allocation from being surpassed.

The final quota allocation is subject to change by adjustments made by the NOAA Fisheries.

Check theCommercial Fishing Limitswebpage for updated trip limits and fishery status information on Scup and other quota managed species in New York.

Keep track of weekly commercial landings by clicking on the "NOAA Fisheries Weekly Landings" link in the right hand column of this page. The link will bring you to NOAA Greater Atlantic Region Fisheries Statistics website where NOAA Fisheries keeps track of weekly records on quota and landing reports for managed species in each state along the Atlantic Coast.